A Matter Of Scrap #8 (May 2009)
Hi Henriëtte here with this months photo challenge.
First I would like to announce the winner of last month’s challenge: it is Mary’s (littlehiccup) really jummy looking picture of this beautiful lamb cake (minus the eyes that is, those look a little bit scary)!
Congratulations Mary!
Whether in your garden or a vase, flowers charm and enchant the eye with their dazzling colors and delightful shapes. Here are some tips to help make your flower pictures equally charming and enchanting.
Tip #1: Use a simple background
Find a position that provides a plain, non-competing background.
Or place a black or pleasingly colored cardboard behind the flower.
Tip #2: Get close
If your camera has a close-up focusing mode, use it and get as close as the camera manual suggests.
With a digital camera, use the display screen to compose the picture.
Accessory close-up lenses are mandatory for dedicated flower photographers.
Tip#3: Shoot at different angles
Vary the level of your viewpoint.
Shoot down to create attractive patterns of little flowers; kneel to the level of other flowers, such as tulips and daffodils.
Tip#4: Use creative lighting
Observe the lighting on your flowers. Backlighting shining through some flowers gives them an appealing glow. Cloudy-day lighting reveals subtle hues.
Tip #5: Control the wind
Is the wind tossing the flower about? Bring the flower indoors and create an attractive still life that you can easily photograph. Put the flower in a vase and place it near a window. Or use a piece of cardboard to block the wind. Choose your camera angle so the cardboard doesn’t show in the picture. Or choose a colored board and position it to block the wind and to serve as the background.
(From an article by Kodak)
Can’t wait to see all of your entries!
May 1st, 2009 at 10:04 am
Great tips Henriette. Those are some beautiful flower photos that you took. I’ve been shooting flowers all week–they are gorgeous now.